Manika walia is Professor and Founding Dean; School of Creativity, Rishihood University, Delhi NCR – mentoring young minds towards constructive, sustainable and meaningful design solutions in different domains.
As an Academic Administrator and Professor of Design, she believes that the understanding of subject matter is important but it is also necessary that students can explore beyond the first layer of information, observe, critically analyze, work in teams, develop analytical skills and above all become good successful human beings.
She started her career soon after completing her postgraduate education as a freelance designer with renowned apparel and soft furnishing design studios in India, Hong Kong and the U.S. Also, was engaged in design projects for the Jaipur City Palace –Atelier and Ministry of Handicrafts and textiles.
Prof. Manika’s continuous association with Industry and interest in design education helped her in forging new initiatives in the field of design education. She pursued Design and Sustainability in the changing world Program form London College of Fashion; UK. Her experience in design teaching motivated to pursue Doctorate in Social Innovation through Design with a view to pursue an active role in design academics, research and creating a social impact.
Prof. Manika strongly believe designs’ true vocation is problem solving and developing solutions that touch lives and bring benefit to all stakeholders. Her particular interest is in application of design research and its implementation for effective sustainable, social design and system reform.
She has worked extensively on a number of independent design projects towards sustainability, universal design and ergonomics, design intervention for various craft clusters and have contributed to various government and corporate agencies. She was honored by Micol Fontana Couture, Florence, Italy. Her work towards Design Thinking was highly recognized in Vietnam.
She is also a distinguished member Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), working closely with the stakeholders for strategizing and implementing all the Design initiatives in the country.
She is appointed as Mentor for Change under Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Aayog, Government of India.
She is passionate in what she does and is always ready to challenge the conventional wisdom at both the level of industry and the higher education sector. Her firmly belief in making an impact; when the going gets tough, the tough get going.